I recently went on a trip to Chicago. One of the many things that struck me about this remarkable city was quite a few instances of high-rise buildings that had several floors of above-ground parking garages — generally starting a few floors above the ground. I assume this habit is a result of the centre of Chicago being built on unstable, swampy ground that makes it more expensive and challenging to build underground parking (although I believe that plenty of underground parking has been built as well, more recently). The guide on the Chicago Architectural Foundation Boat Tour said that large buildings in central Chicago have to drive columns all the way down to bedrock to ensure stability.
While above-ground parking is hardly ideal, at least in Chicago they often take pains to make it interesting. The apartment building above, built in 1964, makes the parking on its lower floors wide open rather than try to hide it — the cars look like they could tip right off the edge.
In the John Hancock Tower, the parking garage itself is disguised with black glass — but the necessary ramp leading cars up to the upper floor entrance becomes a carnival-ride spiral.
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A remake of the Steve McQueen Marina City stunt from the film Hunter — here, an Allstate commercial.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQ2vu8tIr9s&
There are a few buildings like this in Toronto.
The new Ryerson/Canadian Tire building next to the Eaton Centre.
Queens Quay Terminal has above ground parking using the existing structure.
Some of the older waterfront condos also have above ground parking.
I don’t think the parking John Hancock Tower is disguised with black glass. I stayed at the hotel across the street and I recall seeing the card through the windows, although it would be hard to see from street level.
Rob, i hope you are taking notes – we’ll need a lot more of these with you in charge!
Whichever level it is at, above ground or underground, it is better than street level parking. Toronto should get rid of on-street parking in the core to make much better use of the valuable space, replace them with parking structures. and aggressively fine those whose put their own convenience above that of many many others.
Take a look at the Trump Tower at Bay/Adelaide. There are 7 floors of parking above grade – mind you it is concealed by the cladding. I think it’s going to be 100% valet parking (like 1 King W) with stackers in each parking space to double-up cars. Definitely an interesting approach to the postage-stamp site.
It’s usually a function of local water table and what the city planning dept can be browbeat to allow. Developers certainly don’t like spending the dough to build parking underground, and when your worst, lowest, cheapest floor of office or apts is on the 7th floor because of the parking underneath, you win again.
Generally speaking, above-ground parking podiums are very tough to deal with, even when well disguised, and most cities avoid them if possible but suffer them because they have to. Toronto is to be commended on somehow making it common and expected to have underground parking even in simple residential towers. Cities like Miami or Jersey City have way too many above ground garages sucking down the vitality of the streetscape and it hurts.
There are a few clever visible garage solutions that use ground level retail, attractive scrims, or go totally insane avant-garde but it’s not a problem you want to encourage in the first place if you can help it.
Some links:
http://www.thecoolist.com/parking-garage-design-10-modernist-masterpieces/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathan_moreau/418008212/
http://www.1111lincolnroad.com/
Darwin,
Add 77 Elm to your list. It’s one of Toronto’s most notable examples of above-ground parking incorporated into a high-rise structure. It is also routinely voted the ugliest building in the city.
http://www.glasssteelandstone.com/BuildingDetail/1126.php
77 Elm would be nteresting and even attractive if not for the above ground parking. I think it’s rare that above ground high-rise parking is attractive if it’s exposed and not seemlessly intergrated into the architecture of the building like at the Trump Tower. The Chicago buildings seen above are well-known exceptions.
Fascinating. Looks like Toronto does a decent job of disguising the above-ground parking lots it does have. In downtown Calgary, there seems to be an above-ground parking lot on every other street corner, and as Iskycraper mentioned, they really do suck the vitality out of their surroundings. Chicago is at least making an effort to erect their vertical lots with some interesting architecture.
One of Ford’s challenges is that the supply of parking in Toronto is being affected by the gradual conversion of former lots in the core to condos. An overhead view of the lands south of Union still reveal many lots but how many of those will be there in 5-10 years? Obviously you’d hope that most of those people would convert to transit but is that a realistic hope, especially with a Transit Skeptic in the mayor’s chair?
Mark: don’t encourage him.
There are some wonderful looking car parks in Chicago, and the funny thing is that often at first glance they are not noticeable.
I live in Chicago. Because of the large anount of
Parking zoning codes require we could never
Do it all underground. The buildings you cite all
Have condos and hotels so that is many cars. I work
In a building with 3 underground levels of
Parking but it is only an office building. Love toronto by the way.
I live in Chicago. Because of the large amount of parking zoning codes require, we could never do it all underground. The buildings you cite all have condos and hotels so that is many cars. I work in a building with 3 underground levels of parking but it is only an office building. Love toronto by the way.